October cold season

I survived the month of October. Joaquin was sick almost the whole month. The month went something like this: cold, cold with mouth blisters, fever, cold. He was a fussy and needy baby.
I have purchased more cold and flu products in the last few months than Daniel and I combined have purchased in the last decade. I am now a familiar of saline nasal spray. First Joaquin hated having the salty mist up his nose. It took two of us to hold him down and depress the pressurized canister. After going through a whole can, he has grown to like the mist. When I approach with the can he holds his head still in preparation. After both nostrils, I spray some mist into his mouth which is what he really likes.
Fortunately, Joaquin also no longer minds when I wipe his persistently running nose. I wipe my nose first and make funny nose honking sounds that make him laugh. He does a funny imitation of my little comedy routine. From this little bit we do together, he now laughs when anyone sneezes.
October was also a socially busy month. With great anticipation, we held invitations to Melissa's wedding and camp-over and to a retreat to the eastern Sierras in a house rented by my co-worker and new mother, Gwen. Joaquin attended both events a touch under the weather. I enjoyed myself both places but the traveling took its toll on us. We did get some great pictures here.
October also brought Joaquin's eighth tooth. Between the teething (each new lower tooth seems to cause him agony) and the colds, Joaquin ate very little. Just strawberry yogurt and french toast inspired him to eat. I worried that I had ruined my chances at a good eater by too much family-farmed maple syrup and sweet soy yogurt but as the end of October rolled in, with his first birthday and feeling fine, my ravenous little bird has returned. Joaquin happily scarfs all foods well flavored.

Here is an wonderful photo that my friend Dean took of Joaquin as the sunset at Melissa's wedding.

Joaquin is wearing his stunning Creme Bebe sweater from Manhattan, a gift from auntie Clararose.

And a few from the eastern Sierra, outside Bishop, CA.